Prosecutors urge SA court to show no mercy to childcare sex predator Bronte John Ciracovitch and impose harsh prison term

Three years after he destroyed innocent lives, this childcare paedophile has finally accepted the blame – and begged for mercy. But it’s too late, a court has heard.

A childcare centre paedophile who triggered warnings to 180 families has finally accepted responsibility for his crimes – but prosecutors say it’s come too late to warrant mercy.

On Tuesday, three years after his crimes and one month out from sentencing, Bronte John Ciracovitch said he no longer blames anyone else for the abuse of children in his care.

He urged the District Court to spare him a “crushing” sentence – a request that prosecutor Renee Loveday said should be rejected.

She asked Ciracovitch serve separate, cumulative sentences for each of his offences and spend at least 80 per cent of his possible 15-year maximum term behind bars.

“He manipulated children into this conduct … he exploited their youth, naievte and vulnerable position … he used his employment and position of authority to facilitate offending,” she said.

Bronte John Ciracovitch. Picture: Facebook.

“He downloaded child abuse material featuring very, very young children being subjected to very serious degradation, similar to his offending against these children.

“There can be no leniency given for any indication of remorse or contrition in this matter (given) the length of time the children and their families have been waiting.”

Ciracovitch, 31, pleaded guilty to multiple child-abuse and child-exploitation charges committed while he was employed by Child Care Services Australia.

Some of the offending took place at one of its northern-suburbs centres, prompting authorities to send letters to 180 families.

Other offences, including abusing a four-year-old boy while being filmed on a mobile phone, occurred in his home.

Ciracovitch faces a maximum 15-year sentence for his crimes. Picture: Facebook.

In February, the parents of Ciracovitch’s victims dubbed him “a nightmare” and “a monster”, saying he preyed upon children “too young to have a voice”.

Ciracovitch’s former boyfriend, Kane Graham Rockley, 35, has pleaded not guilty to allegedly related charges and will face court again in three weeks’ time.

On Tuesday, Phil Crowe, for Ciracovitch, conceded his client had sought to minimise his responsibility prior to the hearing.

“We do not rely on that, that submission is not maintained, he’s totally responsible for his conduct,” he said.

“The fact somebody else was allegedly interested or involved does not excuse him … he places no blame on any person other than himself.”

He asked that recognition, though late, attract some sentencing discount but accepted it would be a small amount because Ciracovitch’s “breach of trust is across the board”.

Judge Tim Heffernan remanded Ciracovitch in custody for sentencing next month.